The souk, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was often recognized as being one of the most beautiful in the world and contained over 1500 shops with countless amounts of items, from spices, oils and dyes, to jewellery, silk, precious metals and everything in between. Not only was the souk popular with the locals, but it was also a must see on many travellers’ itineraries.

Visiting Aleppo at this time is highly discouraged. However, before the seemingly endless fighting and senseless fire that set the bazaar and surrounding monuments ablaze, the Globe Trekker team travelled to this fascinating city to film our Globe Trekker Syria show which reveals the brighter, more vibrant days of Aleppo.

Globe Trekker host and traveller, Holly Morris, was fortunate enough to have Aleppo on herSyria itinerary. Holly experienced the rich history and exquisite beauty that the trading centre represented, first-hand. Through the alleys, stone archways and colossal wooden doors, rows of vendors were plentiful, one selling gold, another of fresh meat, textiles and even a pharmacy were permanent fixtures here, some dating back as far as the 13th Century. Holly alsoexplored the Citadel, an ancient landmark and one of the oldest and largest castles in the world. She then went on to visit the city of Apamea, the Dead Cities, Saladin’s Castle and eventually makes her way to capital, Damascus.

The Ancient Citadel of Aleppo – Outside its main entrance

Although the enormous destruction in Aleppo is beyond comprehension, it is still possible to rebuild and repair what has been obliterated in the flames. It comes at no small cost, estimated at millions of dollars, but hopefully the Souk of Aleppo can flourish again and represent the city and its rich part in history that it once did.

———————————

Blair Shapiro

———————————-

The Soul of Aleppo – The Ancient Souk

Originally posted to Flickr by Anas.A at http://flickr.com/photos/50471244@N06/4956886022

The souk, also aUNESCO World Heritage Site, was often recognized as being one of the most beautiful in the world and contained over 1500 shops with countless amounts of items, from spices, oils and dyes, to jewellery, silk, precious metals and everything in between. Not only was the souk popular with the locals, but it was also a must see on many travellers’ itineraries.

Visiting Aleppo at this time is highly discouraged. However, before the seemingly endless fighting and senseless fire that set the bazaar and surrounding monuments ablaze, the Globe Trekker team travelled to this fascinating city to film our Globe Trekker Syria show which reveals the brighter, more vibrant days of Aleppo.

Globe Trekker host and traveller, Holly Morris, was fortunate enough to have Aleppo on herSyria itinerary. Holly experienced the rich history and exquisite beauty that the trading centre represented, first-hand. Through the alleys, stone archways and colossal wooden doors, rows of vendors were plentiful, one selling gold, another of fresh meat, textiles and even a pharmacy were permanent fixtures here, some dating back as far as the 13th Century.Holly also explored the Citadel, an ancient landmark and one of the oldest and largest castles in the world. She then went on to visit the city of Apamea, the Dead Cities, Saladin’s Castle and eventually makes her way to capital, Damascus.

The Ancient Citadel of Aleppo – Outside its main entrance

Although the enormous destruction in Aleppo is beyond comprehension, it is still possible to rebuild and repair what has been obliterated in the flames. It comes at no small cost, estimated at millions of dollars, but hopefully the Souk of Aleppo can flourish again and represent the city and its rich part in history that it once did.

The Syria DVD can be found through this link to the Globe Trekker site: